How Many are doing 10 years on Aromatase Inhibitors
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my onc does believe your estrogen receptors are important when considering extending AI use. She said if I had a lower % it would suggest that the cancer cells relied on other things to attribute to their growth. Being 100% means that all of my cells relied on hormones and that AI would be most effective in that case.
Oncologists disagreeing on these things seems to be the norm.
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Hey Melissa, I just got a new prescription on Friday. I'm going to send it in and try the Armidex for a month and then, if I do notice a difference, I"ll fight the insurance. I told my doctor might not matter but can't hurt to try and she agreed. If it makes no difference, I"ll just go back to the generic.
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pip57 I wonder what she considers low. When I said that to my MO she said it doesn't work that way.
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When I started on Femara I was told that if my tumors respond well to it I'll be on it for five and probably ten years. I'm still waiting to see how well I've responded. I've not experienced any side effects that are directly attributable to it.
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Angelia, I had to call my mail in pharmacy and get in a very heated discussion before they would issue the Arimidex non-generic. In other words, the generic is 5 cents and the real stuff is $1.00 per. Finally, they issued it when I said "can I speak to your manager?"
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Hi Aug242007....looks like we are from the same neck of the woods. I live in Franklin, Tn. Glad to see you are doing so well with the AI's....7 years in right?
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lago, I believe 0-25% is considered 'mildly positive' (at least it was back when I was diagnosed). I was only 11% estrogen positive, so that plus the fact that I was at 0% for PR (if I remember correctly, Als work the very best for those who are both ER and PR positive) made it pretty easy for me to pull the plug after 5 years.
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Ruth I guess that puts me in the gray area (what else is new). I'm 30% ER and 5%PR. I believe 3% is considered negative. I was in a gray area for rads and got a pass… who knows but the concern with me is the large tumor. If my tumor was smaller with no nodes I might not be recommended the 10 years. I told my NP we'd discuss this at the 5 year mark or when the study results are published.
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Yes, worry about it when the time comes....they will probably change their recommendations three times in the next year or so!!!!!
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Hey, Nash54, yes I am from Nashville TN. Will PM to talk.
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Kicks, Letrozole Is the generic drug and I have been taking it for the past ten years! It may have been produced by one company to start with and now by few, but the chemical compound is the same.0
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Aug242007 I am going to mail my script in to the $30 a month and see if it matters and then if it does, I will take it up with the insurance company. I figure if it doesn't matter, I"ll just continue with the generic but if it does matter, I am prepared to fight. I've had to fight myk cancer policy for every dime I've collected, so I"m geared up for a fight if need be to the regular insurance. I figure I have tried the other for 3 months, so I'll try the name brand and month and see how it goes and then, I will have the documentation I need to back up my argument.
Nash, I live in Ky but just down the way, Aug242007 and I have already connected, welcome aboard.
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Hi angelia50....hope you are doing well.
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Nash, I am doing well. I am new to all of this too, not as new as you, but new. I had surgery July 2014 and am due for exchange 12/14. I have my days but I realize it could be so much worse, and snap myself back to being thankful rather than dwelling on the bad moments.
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I was 98% ER+. I wonder if that puts me at the 10-year plan. I didn't even think to ask my MO when I saw her for my six-month check up last Friday!
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Kjiberty my understanding is it has more to do with your recurrence rate… larger tumor size, positive nodes, family history, age etc.
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Any of you dear ladies have acid reflux disease? Just wondering if the aromasin makes it worse!!!
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I have GERD (controlled with medication) and have not had any increase in symptoms since starting Femara.0
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May I ask what you take, Hopeful? I was put on omeprazole!! It helps, but I still feel like I always have extra mucous in my throat! Thanks!
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Kindergarten my gastroenterology suggested I try Gaviscon. Prilosuc (omeprazole) doesn't work for me OTC or perscription. I try to control with diet mostly though. Red meat and high animal fats are triggers for me. I don't eat too close to bedtime or if I'm going to lie down after eating.
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Sure - I was started on Prilosec, which made me I'll, then switched to Prevacid. I've taken it for 4 plus years and expect to continue for life, unless I agree to surgery, which is NOT likely!
Good luck with your adjustment to all of this - I hope it's as easy as mine has been.0 -
thanks, Hopeful and Lago!! One more year on Aromasin, to reach that 10 year mark
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I tried controlling with a very careful diet, etc., but mine's pretty much a) "silent" , b) runs through my whole extended family and c) caused pretty serious issues before It was even detectable so I gave in on the issue of medications.
Kindergarten, congrats on hitting the 9-year point. I hope it's worked out well for you.0 -
Hopeful the prescription medication that worked well for me was Carafate Solution. It's $$ and a PITA if you have to take it all the time. The first time I was diagnosed I was going on 3 months with no solution. When I lost my voice because of it and the MD didn't call me back I switched. He was the one who recommended the Carafate Solution. 2 days later reflux gone!
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That's pretty dramatic, lago! I'm glad you found something that worked out so well for you.0
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Had to eventually go on it on chemo too.
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Regarding Carafate.....the DH and DD take it. One takes the liquid form and the other takes it in tablets. I've always wondered why it isn't in more general use or more frequently prescribed by physicians. I think physicians would rather turn off the acid using a proton pump inhibitor rather than use carafate which coats the lining of the esophagus and stomach. What surprises me too is that the PPI's were not made to be used for long periods of time and yet it seems to me that many people take them for long periods.....something to think about and worth mentioning to your doctors about.
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I have been on the AIs for 7 years and my worst side effect has been GERD or acid reflux. So glad to see this info. Thanks to all.
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Thanks, voraciousreader, will try Carafate.
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The reason why they might not prescribe Carafate right away is usually the proton pump inhibitors work, Carafate (at least the liquid form) is a PITA to take (4X a day 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating) which means patients may not be as compliant and it is expensive.
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